Bale and Ronaldo shine to make Euro 2020 gameweek 2 best XI
Following the second round of Euro 2020 group stages games, we take a look at the best XI from gameweek two of the action.
Stole Dimitrievski (North Macedonia) - 8.34
North Macedonia may have fallen to a 2-1 loss to Ukraine, but it would have looked a cricket score had Stole Dimitrievski not excelled between the sticks on Thursday. The 27-year-old made more saves (7) than any other goalkeeper in the second round of Euro 2020 fixtures, including a Ruslan Malinovskiy penalty stop in the second half, to help land a WhoScored rating of 8.34.
Denzel Dumfries (Netherlands) - 7.90
Denzel Dumfries has already scored as many goals at Euro 2020 as he managed in the 2020/21 Eredivisie campaign (2). The PSV man bagged his second of the tournament in the Netherlands' 2-0 win over Austria on Thursday, that coming from his only shot of the game, and was unfortunate not to add an assist as he managed two key passes.
Matthijs de Ligt (Netherlands) - 7.50
Joining compatriot Dumfries in the defence in this XI is centre-back Matthijs de Ligt. The youngster marked his first Euro 2020 start with a solid showing at the heart of the Oranje backline, as he found a teammate with all 40 passes against Austria. The 21-year-old was impressive off the ball as he made three clearances and two tackles to help yield a WhoScored rating of 7.50.
Grant Hanley (Scotland) - 7.39
England fans were critical of their performance against Scotland on Friday night, but the Tartan Army can be proud of a showing that kept their Euro 2020 hopes alives. Grant Hanley put in a fine performance at the heart of the defence as he dealt with every attack thrown Scotland's way. Hanley won five aerial duels, made three tackles and two interceptions, and blocked two shots, to partner De Ligt in this XI with a WhoScored rating of 7.39.
It's safe to say that Robin Gosens has arrived at Euro 2020. Against Portugal on Saturday, the Atalanta star forced A Selecao's first own goal to draw Germany level and then turned provider for Kai Havertz shortly after the restart. Gosens then got on the scoresheet with an hour on the clock as he rounds off the defence with a WhoScored rating of 8.38.
The first of two Wales players to star in this XI, Daniel James was unable to have a direct hand in a goal in their 2-0 win over Turkey, but it wasn't for want of trying as the Dragons winger managed one shot and four key passes. James gave the Turkey defence a torrid evening as he also completed three dribbles to make the side with a WhoScored rating of 7.86.
Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium) - 8.97
When Belgium needed the cavalry against Denmark, they stepped up to the plate. Kevin De Bruyne returned a WhoScored rating of 8.97 from the bench in the Red Devils' 2-1 win over the Danish Dynamite. The Manchester City man took nine minutes to register his first assist of Euro 2020, turning provider for Thorgan Hazard, and followed that up with his first goal of the competition 20 minutes from time.
Manuel Locatelli (Italy) - 8.69
Joining De Bruyne in the middle of the park is Italy star Manuel Locatelli. Locatelli had scored just the once for the Azzurri prior to their meeting with Switzerland, only to go and bag a brace on Wednesday night to secure Italy's spot in the last 16. The 23-year-old hit the back of the net with his two shots to contribute towards his inclusion with a WhoScored rating of 8.69.
Even after missing a penalty against Turkey, Gareth Bale did enough to secure not only the man of the match award in Wales' 2-0 win on Wednesday, but put in the best rated performance at Euro 2020 so far as he garnered a WhoScored rating of 9.41. The 31-year-old created a whopping five clear-cut chances against Turkey, a record in a European Championship match, as he provided assists for Aaron Ramsey and Connor Roberts in the victory.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) - 8.53
Portugal's 4-2 loss to Germany was arguably the game of Euro 2020 so far. Cristiano Ronaldo had a direct hand in both goals for A Selecao on Saturday evening, putting the Euro 2016 champions ahead with 15 minutes on the clock. Ronaldo then turned provider for Diogo Jota as they came from respective returns of two shots and two key passes. A WhoScored rating of 8.53 was enough to make this XI as the 35-year-old landed his second man of the match award of the competition.
Alexander Isak (Sweden) - 7.90
Emil Forsberg may have been Sweden's match winner against Slovakia, but the 1-0 win on Friday afternoon saw Alexander Isak's stock soar further. The Real Sociedad man was unfortunate not to score in the narrow victory, mustering five shots, but with the ball at his feet, he was a menace for the Slovakia defence. Indeed, Isak completed six dribbles to help land a WhoScored rating of 7.90 and partner Ronaldo on the frontline.
